T20 World Cup 2018 | It’ll be great if we make the semis, says Mithali Raj

10/15/2018

Indian Women's team skipper Mithali Raj has been of the opinion that the side has a strong batting line-up settled for the T20 World Cup and could at least make it till the semis. Meanwhile, Raj and Co. will be travelliing to the Caribbean early for the practice games with Windies.

The Indian eves are leaving no stones unturned in their preparations for the upcoming T20 world event that is going to be held from November. Coming off an encouraging tour of Sri Lanka where Raj and company swept away the hosts completely, the skipper sounded confident about India's chances in the World Cup.

“It would have been great if the scheduled three T20s against West Indies were held before the World Cup, for that would have been the ideal preparations for any player before such a big event. But, fortunately, we are going early and playing some practice games. It should be okay,” she said to a query.

Meanwhile, the team would be travelling to the Caribbean before the tournament for practice games with Windies and other teams, after their tour of Windies was canceled for financial restraints.

“We have not qualified for the knock-outs except in the first two editions. Given this record, it will be great if we can make the semifinals this time. Earlier, there were only two or three batters on whom we had to look up for big scores. Now, even if the top-order fails, we have batters like ’keeper Tania who can rise to the occasion,” said Mithali in a chat with The Hindu on Sunday, before leaving for the National camp in Bengaluru.

Currently, the Indian women cricket is standing at 4th in ICC T20I rankings ahead of South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and others. However, their performance in the shortest format has been average with records of a total number of 88 matches played with India witnessing 45 wins overall and only 8 wins out of 15 this year.

“We hope to continue the momentum from the last ODI World Cup. Given the kind of fillip women’s cricket got after that showing in England, it will be great if can repeat and even better that showing,” said the veteran cricketer, who will be playing her fifth T20 World Cup.

“I am happy that I will be opening the innings in this World Cup though I am not really fond of this format. It is a different experience facing the new ball. My job is to ensure a good start and that would mean greater freedom at the top. I feel shackled when batting at No. 3 in the ODIs, given the different kind of responsibilities,” added Mithali.

When was asked the good sides that have been ranked ahead of India, she stated, “Australia continues to be the best team with a long line-up. New Zealand, against whom India has not played much, has quite a few big hitters and it will be interesting to see how the bowlers negotiate that.”

Mithali Raj is more excited to play against Pakistan, and be a glory after witnessing a magnificent win over it.

“The match against Pakistan will be good and interesting, for obvious reasons, and then we have Ireland.